Board of Women Managers

Sallie K. Morris
1842 – August 5, 1882

Sallie K. Morris was born in 1842 to William B. Jones who was a prominent shipbuilder in Baltimore. Jones was born in East Baltimore and spent all his life there. He was president of the Broadway Savings Bank, a trustee of the Eastern Dispensary, and a member of the Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church. Sallie grew up with her father and became a member of high Baltimorean society. She married Thomas Morris and together they had one daughter, Evelyn C. Morris.

Very few records of Morris’ activity exist as she passed away at the young age of 36. However; it is known that Morris was involved in the Women’s Industrial Exchange in 1882. During this time, she was on Board of Managers.

Sallie K. Morris passed away on August 5th, 1882. She was laid to rest in Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.

Sources:
“Morris.” The Baltimore Sun, August 8, 1882.
“Obituary: William B. Jones.” The Baltimore Sun, February 16, 1898.
“Sallie K. Morris.” Find a Grave, 2012.
“Sallie K. Morris.” The 1870 United States Federal Census, August 1, 1870.
“Sarah K. Morris.” The 1880 United States Census, June 8, 1880.

Francis King Carey
July 1, 1858 – October 3, 1944

Francis King Carey was a prominent name in Baltimore and member of the King family. He was born in Walbrook, a neighborhood in West Baltimore. Aside from being a lawyer and president of the Charleston Consolidated Rail Company and member of organizations like the Maryland Branch of the Fight for Freedom Commission, he was also responsible for much of the success of the Woman’s Industrial Exchange in its early days serving on the male advisory board. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, upper-class Baltimore men assisted with the success of the business, since they were viewed as possessing more leadership and professional skills. Carey was a democrat and held progressive beliefs in his work, wanting to work directly with his constituents as the owner and manager of companies like the National Sugar Manufacturing Company, supporting them financially during the Great Depression, a sentiment shared by the mission of the Woman’s Industrial Exchange.

Carey died in 1944 at the age of 86 and is buried in Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore. His name is likely recognized now from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School in Law, which honored Carey and his family with a name change in 2011 after receiving a donation from the W.P. Carey trust. W.P. Carey was the grandson of Francis, who attended the formerly-named Maryland Law Institute and graduated in 1880.

Sources:

“A Bulwark of Solidarity: Francis King Carey, 1858-1944.” Thurgood Marshall Law Library.

“Francis King Carey.” FindaGrave.

1902-1903 Annual Report:

• President: Nellie Schley Fisher
  • President of the WIE from 1899-1907
• Vice Presidents
  • 1st Mrs. J.B. Morris
  • 2nd Mrs. Nelson Perin
  • 3rd Mrs. P. Lea Thom
    • (Helen Hopkins Thom is Johns Hopkins’ cousin, could it be the same Thom?)
  • Treasurer: Mrs. William T. Howard
  • Recording Secretary: Mrs. Edwin F. Abell
    • Elizabeth Laurenson Abell

Elizabeth Maxwell Laurenson was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Francis Beaston Laurenson and Elizabeth Carroll Laurenson. She was raised Catholic and continued to be involved in the Baltimore church community as an adult. Elizabeth lived in Baltimore her whole life, moving around different towns such as Woodbourne, Mount Vernon Place, and Guilford. She spent summers in York Harbor, Maine with her family, including her sister, Mrs. Bernard J. Byrne.

Elizabeth was the second wife of Edwin F. Abell, who was the son of Arunah Shepherdson Abell, the founder of the Baltimore Sun. She became the stepmother of his children, Mrs. James Dudley Morgan and Walter W. Abell, when they married. Edwin died in 1904 at the age of 64.

Elizabeth began serving on the female board of managers at the Woman’s Industrial Exchange in 1900 when she was around 61 years old. She was the president of the Exchange for twenty years from around 1913 to 1933 when she stepped down from her position. Mrs. Abell also served as the executive secretary for The Town Civic Journal, during and around 1916.

In 1917, Mrs. Abell led a successful fundraising campaign for the Woman’s Industrial Exchange. Prominent donors from the area such as Thomas O’Neill, the head of a department store, and Daniel Willard, president of the B&O Railroad, were listed. Today, on the second floor of the Woman’s Industrial Exchange building is the Abell Room which is dedicated to Elizabeth for her contributions to the institution. It has most recently been used for public events and meetings.

Elizabeth was an active merchant in the Baltimore community in several ways. For example, she often hosted receptions for Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore. She even hosted the British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Esme Howard, and his wife, Lady Isabella Howard, when they visited Baltimore around 1926. Elizabeth was also a notable supporter of music in Baltimore as she aided the protection of the Lyric Theater. Additionally, she was involved as a member in the Mount Vernon Club, Baltimore Country Club, and the Gibson Island Club in her later years.

Outside of her public responsibilities, Mrs. Abell was interested in acquiring and selling fine furniture and jewelry. She enjoyed gifting her finds to family and friends. For example, she gifted a sterling silver tea set to her niece, Eleonor Laurenson Myer Simpson Young for her wedding in the early 1900s.

Elizabeth resided in Woodbourne with her husband for twenty years. In 1924, she moved to Guilford on Charles Street. Elizabeth Laurenson passed away on August 14, 1934, six days after her 81st birthday in her home in York Harbor, Maine, surrounded by her step-daughter and sister. She is buried at New Cathedral Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Abells continue to be prominent figures in Maryland. Edwin Abell’s great-great grandson, Kevin Abell, currently serves as a trustee of the Abell Foundation. He also worked as a reporter and editor of the Baltimore Sun, continuing the Abell family legacy in journalism.

Sources:
“Catholic Women in America.” Women of America, February 2, 2015.
“Death Claims Edwin Abell of Baltimore.” San Francisco Call, February 29, 1904.
“Mrs. E.M.L Abell Dies at Age of 81.” Baltimore Sun, August 15, 1934.
“Nye & Company Announces Highlights Included in the Estate Treasures Auction.” Artdaily, January 8, 2021.
“Kerala Kitchen Supper Club.” Brown Paper Tickets, April 28, 2011.
“Tea Room Regulars…” Baltimore Sun, January 8, 1999.
“The Baltimore County Union.”… May 31, 1884.
“The Town; A Civic Journal, Volumes 1-2.” Women’s Civic League, October 21, 1916.